More cuts from Washington addressed at policy planning meeting

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Education probably isn’t the first word that comes to mind at the mention of sequestration.

The term is more often than not associated with automatic military cuts. But at a gathering of local and state representatives from the Parents and Teachers Association on Thursday, the subject loomed largely over the heads of parents and teachers planning for the future.

Sequestration – or automatic, across-the-board national spending cuts – will take effect in March unless a deal in Washington is reached.

“We were originally looking at a 9.1 percent reduction across-the-board cut,” said Jacqui Chevalier, an analyst with the National PTA. “Now, we’re looking, more realistically, at a 5.9 percent federal cut to a good part of the budget that includes public education.”

Sequestration May Hit San Diego Schools

At a gathering of local and state representatives from the PTA, leaders discussed how to best offset the possible effects of sequestration. NBC 7 education reporter Rory Devine spoke to state and national education advocates about what is at risk with the automatic spending cuts. (Published Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013)

“What we have seen historically both at the federal level and state level, is that education gets cut pretty easily,” she said. “It’s usually the first on the chopping block.”

Parents also anticipate budgetary challenges from the state this coming year. Though Gov. Jerry Brown anticipates a surplus of money for California in his proposed budget, he said he and lawmakers should plan for leaner times to come.

Gov. Jerry Brown on Education Funding

Gov. Jerry Brown touched on education funding and a budget summary that calls for discretion at the local level. Raw Video from his Jan. 24, 2013 address. (Published Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013)

Also, though many education advocates are still celebrating the passage of Brown’s tax initiative Proposition 30, the PTA was neutral on the measure during campaigning. They chose instead to support the alternate tax measure, Prop. 38.

Now that their measure-of-choice has failed, PTA members will have to reevaluate their position on education funding, said local PTA member Laura Schumacher.

SDUSD Budget Comes Up Short

The San Diego Unified School District discussed their budget plan Tuesday. Based on current projections, the budget leaves the district more than $80 million short. Solutions to address the shortfall include selling off property and a hiring freeze. NBC 7's Steven Luke reports. (Published Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013)

Schumacher said the PTA members would be learning about Prop. 30’s funding formula at the Thursday conference to come up with some short-term solutions.